Welcome to the “But first, Bible” daily devotional podcast with Dave Miers.
Today’s readings are from Genesis 9-11 and Matthew 4. Press pause to listen to God’s voice before you hear anything more from me.
Okay, welcome back.
At the end of Matthew 3 Jesus is baptised, with the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit all present in this beautiful moment marking the beginning of Jesus’ earthy ministry.
Immediately after this Jesus is lead out into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil in Matthew 4. Jesus has been fasting for 40 days and it’s at that point – when the hunger was real – that the devil, described in verse 3 as “the tempter” comes to put Jesus to the test.
I suggested two days ago that Matthew’s gospel shows many of the ways that Jesus fulfils God’s promises from the Old Testament. I want you to notice today the clear parallels between Jesus being tempted in the wilderness for 40 days and Israel being tempted in the wilderness for 40 years.
Where Israel failed to be the people of God, Jesus shows himself to be the true and better Israel.
Did you notice that the Devil quoted scripture to Jesus?? A quick aside: just because someone quotes scripture to you, doesn’t mean they are quoting it in context. I think that’s why reading the bible every year in a plan like this one is good to learn the big picture context of the whole bible.
At each moment of temptation from the Devil, Jesus responds with truth from God’s word in context.
But he answered, “It is written,
“‘Man shall not live by bread alone,
but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” (ESV)
In the wilderness God provided Israel with his word AND with bread from heaven, and yet they grumbled and complained. Jesus did what Israel failed to do.
Jesus said to him, “Again it is written, ‘You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.’” (ESV)
The wilderness wanderings of Israel along with the rest of the Old Testament is marked by Israel putting God to the test. Jesus did what Israel failed to do.
Then Jesus said to him, “Be gone, Satan! For it is written,
“‘You shall worship the Lord your God
and him only shall you serve.’” (ESV)
Again, Israel failed to serve God alone and bowed down to the gods of the nations. Jesus did what Israel failed to do.
Jesus doesn’t succumb to the temptation of the Devil and by verse 11 Jesus has won this battle. It really is a foretaste of Jesus’ ultimate defeat of not only Satan, but sin and death in his own death and resurrection.
Jesus lived the life we failed to live.
Jesus died the death we deserve.
Jesus defeated our enemy.
Jesus rose to give us new life.
Let me close with this encouragement from Hebrews 4:15–16,
“For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” (ESV)
Until tomorrow, keep trusting Jesus.